Rodney Michael “Spot” DeRouen
Rodney DeRouen, 80, passed away in Lake Charles, LA on Friday, March 15, 2024. He was born on July 21, 1943, in New Iberia, Louisiana, to Francis and Delta Mae Geoffroy DeRouen.
Rodney worked for South Central Bell for 33 years. He was a faithful Catholic, deeply involved in his faith community, serving in Cursillo #83, A.C.T.S., Knights of Columbus, and as an altar server at St. Terance Mission Church of Toledo Bend until the age of 76. He also trained altar servers and sponsored candidates through the RCIA program. Rodney served on the South Toledo Bend Water District Board for 17 years, holding the record as the longest-standing board member.
His favorite spot was on his back porch at Toledo Bend Lake, which served as a gathering place for friends and neighbors. It was a place where stories were shared, cigars were smoked, and music, especially George Jones, filled the air as supper was cooked or grilled. He was affectionately called the “Mayor,” the “Gazette,” and the “Jack of All Trades” of Fertitta Drive and was known for his ability to fix anything and everything. He had a set of keys to most residents’ homes and would ensure everything was in order for their arrival, even going so far as to manicure yards and prepare homes for weekend stays. He thrived in this environment, and his generosity and warmth touched many lives.
When Rodney visited Lake Charles, he began each day sharing daily mass with his daughter, Carrie, followed by coffee at KD’s. He then enjoyed time at Darrell’s, where he and “the professors” at their designated table shared stories and caught up on life. He, along with three high school friends, formed the “SSS Society,” which entitled them to hours of playing Dominos and Mexican Train often past midnight. Rodney welcomed everyone and was welcomed by all; he never met a stranger.
Rodney is survived by his daughters, Carrie DeRouen, Dennie Kearney (Brent), Christy DeCelle, Ranie DeRouen, Ramona Gonzalez (Roy), and Mary “Missy” Leger (Cody); his grandchildren, Leslie Kolb (Cody Wayne), Bryson, Hannah and Abby Kearney, Andrew, Simon, and Samuel Gonzalez, Damon, Adra and Amaya Leger, Talen Adducci, Trulen Granger, and Shalyn Granger; his great-grandchildren, Randalyn “Randi,” Layton Paul “Bubba,”, and Luke Waylon Langley, Beaux River Kolb and Benjamin Adducci; his sister, Nikki Trahan (Terry), and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Darrell, and his sister, Tana Lynn.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Rev. Joshua Page will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA, on the evening of Friday, March 22, beginning at 5:00 PM and continuing until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday at 9:00 AM and continue until leaving in procession to the church, with a second rosary being recited at 11:00 AM.
Mr. DeRouen’s daughters wish to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Surena Matin and his staff at MD Anderson, Dr. Jake LaBeau and Amanda Parton NP, and Dr. Robert Arango for the expertise, kindness and compassion shown while caring for their father. Also, special thanks to those friends who took time to spend with him while in assisted living. “Those visits meant the world to him”.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
